Review: Duplicity

Published Friday, March 20, 2009

Tony Gilroy penetrated the world of corporate corruption with smarts, suspense and searing insight in his 2007 directing debut, "Michael Clayton." Here, he revisits that territory, only he does it with plenty of sexual tension to go along with his usual crackling dialogue and complex plotting. The storytelling here is more dense, but the tone has a sly, sexy playfulness about it that significantly lightens things up. Julia Roberts and Clive Owen may not immediately seem like the likeliest screen pair for a romantic comedy, especially following the devastating moments they shared in "Closer." But here they enjoy a delightful chemistry as former spies and on-again, off-again lovers who scheme to steal tens of millions of dollars from the dueling corporate behemoths that employ them. Writer-director Gilroy jumps all over in time and location -- the globe-trotting and high-tech tactics reminiscent of the "Bourne" movies he scripted -- as he follows the constantly evolving relationship between Roberts' ex-CIA officer Claire Stenwick and Owen's former MI6 agent Ray Koval. They've figured out a way to rob the rival pharmaceutical companies for whom they serve as undercover operatives. But because Claire and Ray are so paranoid themselves, as their careers have required them to be, they never know whether they can trust each other, something Gilroy shows us in flashbacks over the past five years in locales including Dubai, Rome and Miami. The threat of a double-cross keeps them both on their toes and infuses their affair with a buzzing and frequently hilarious tension. PG-13 for language and some sexual content. 118 min. Three stars out of four.

-- Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic

Review: I Love You, Man

The newly minted "bromance" genre, with its now-familiar mix of the sweet, awkward and raunchy, has become a part of the cultural consciousness through movies like "Superbad," "Pineapple Express" and "Role Models." But it reaches its zenith with this comedy starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel as two completely different guys who form an unlikely friendship. Rudd's Peter Klaven, a sensitive real estate agent who's about to get married, realizes he has no male pals when he's forced to ponder his choice for best man. Segel's Sydney Fife enters his life as the most charming force of nature. The formula is pretty predictable in this latest film from director John Hamburg ("Along Came Polly"), which he co-wrote with Larry Levin. But the beauty of it lies both in the details of their relationship and the larger chemistry Rudd and Segel share. It's actually a rather bold concept to explore in a movie that's so clearly intended for the mainstream, and for teen and 20something men in particular. "I Love You, Man" dares to get to the heart of intimate male friendships -- or even, as the title suggests, love -- the kind of thing most guys don't exactly feel comfortable discussing. We're onto something true and honest here, which is why it's so disappointing to see the film repeatedly cater to the lowest common denominator with vomit and flatulence jokes. (It also makes the mistake of squandering the comic talents of veterans Jane Curtin and J.K. Simmons in barely-there supporting parts as Rudd's parents.) R for pervasive language, including crude and sexual references. 105 min. Three stars out of four.